Vikings Should Chase After Warner

The Vikings are making noise that they would be happy to go into the 2009 season with Tarvaris Jackson and Gus Frerotte as the team's top two options at quarterback, which means Brad Childress likes to juggle hand grenades with the pins pulled.

Even after Jackson fell apart in a playoff loss to the Eagles, Childress is ready to give his long-term project another chance to lead the team for a third straight year. Considering that Donovan McNabb seems likely to stay in Philadelphia and Brett Farve seems to really mean it (this time) when he says he's retiring, maybe the Vikings don't like the other remaining options: Jeff Garcia hasn't stayed healthy for a full season in six years, Matt Cassell's trade price may be too expensive and Kerry Collins may not be more than a caretaker for a great running game.

But there is another alternative.
Why not throw some of the Vikings massive anount of cap room at Kurt Warner into an attempt to completely change the conversation? The Vikings have $30 million in cap room, so even if they threw $15 million Warner's way, they'd still have enough money to re-up Matt Birk or try to add a new right tackle.

There's a pretty good chance that Warner will decide that he's not willing to leave Arizona no matter what other offers are out there, but in this case, there's nothing to be lost by finding out. If the Vikings could add Warner, they would immediately become one of the NFC's favorites for the Super Bowl. And even if Warner doesn't take the money, it would give Vikings fans a sign that they are serious about trying to figure out a better solution than the current one.

For Warner to be successful he needs to have a solid offensive line: the Vikings have a better one than the Cardinals. He would get to hand off to the best back in the league instead of a variety of subpar backs. While he wouldn't have a receiver corps that comes close to matching his Cardinals' crew, Bernard Berrian would give him a deep threat and Sidney Rice and Bobby Wade can move the chains.

Apparently the Cardinals have gone up to $10 to $12 million in their offer for Warner, but the Vikings will have to go higher than this to convince Warner to pick up and move. If they can talk Kurt into making one more move, they wouldn't have to worry about struggling to sellout home games next year.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-23-2009 @ 8:28PM

billy said...

Dude, I'm sorry but Warner would not make them instant Super Bowl contenders. They don't have Fitzgerald or Boldin. Hell, Breaston is arguably better than any wide out they have. You're being too impatient with Tavaris Jackson. He showed a lot of promise. Yeah, he didn't play well in the playoffs, but a lot of QB's have trouble the first time (Tony Romo stunk it up 2 times). You just sound like a very impatient Vikings fan who doesn't really understand the value of player development.

2-23-2009 @ 9:30PM

VIKES REVIEW said...

.....hey billy,......'you're an idiot'....GET OUTTA HERE!!!

2-23-2009 @ 9:25PM

Brad Childress,.........enjoy your last year with the Vikings. Have your bags packed and your plane ticket bought in advance. I'll bet you $1,000.00 side bet that your boy, TJ will f_ck things up on offense and fumble like there's no tomorrow! My sympathy goes out to the other players on the team as they deserve a better head coach........and yes, ...... a 'smarter' owner. (ziggy & brad...what a pair)

2-23-2009 @ 9:32PM

THAT'S RIGHT, I SAID IT!! BILLY'S AN IDIOT! SO IS ZIGGY & CHILLHEAD!

2-23-2009 @ 10:36PM

Bort Simpson said...

I hate to say it but Vikes review guy is right. The warner thing or any other QB will not happen. This numbnutted Childress thinks Tarvarious Jackson is the next coming of Joe Montana. He will not bring in anyone who might challenge his golden child.

2-24-2009 @ 8:30AM

Vikes Review, I see you calling me an idiot. What I don't see is any intelligence in you're statements. The Vikings are a young team with a lot of promise. Maybe Jackson isn't the answer, but he looked pretty good most of the time he was in last year. I don't love or hate the Vikings, I'm just calling how I see it.

2-24-2009 @ 11:18AM

....hey billy,...did you follow that right team last year? you weren't paying attention were you. we all know you support TJ,.....that miserable screw up.....now GET OUTTA HERE!! You're making me sick!

2-24-2009 @ 3:25PM

jffstrnd said...

Billy, can't make reads and is totally inaccurate and Bernard Berrian is much better than Breaston. He just has nobody to get him the ball. Warner has accuracy and a quick release. Get warner and a good Wr in the draft and the Vikes have the best chance for a Superbowl Since the Moss, Carter days.

2-24-2009 @ 3:30PM

Tarvaris is inaccurate and can't make reads. Make an offer for Kurt. He is the best Quarterback in the league right now.

Trying to say Tarvaris is in Kurt's league is just ignorant...

Leinart had Fitzgerald and Boldin and he sucked!! explain that...

2-24-2009 @ 10:56PM

Slom Johnson said...

I am amazed that anyone would even consider going with Jackson, even as a backup. He SUCKS. I thought sure if Childress even brought up the possibilty of starting him again he would be canned immediately. I think some of the supporters of "T-Jack" must not be watching the games. 6 for 22 with a fumble lost and a pick is not something any true fan (since Bud Grant days) like me can stand to endure again.

2-26-2009 @ 10:46AM

LeVan said...

dont keep jumping on tarvas because gus did not do good him self i think they should go after mike vick because tarvas is more pass then run like vick. we need a coaching staff. we need a good quarterback coach.

2-26-2009 @ 10:49AM

i agree billy i thank this is going to be tarvas year. i thank a good quarterback will do the job.

2-26-2009 @ 10:50AM

i mean a good quarterback coach.